Platelets in Cancer and Immunotherapy

Immunotherapies targeting immune cells' molecular-brakes', such as the checkpoint molecule PDL-1 have revolutionized cancer therapy with unprecedented clinical benefits. However, there is still a significant fraction of patients that do not respond to checkpoint immunotherapies. PD-1/PDL-1 therapies' effectiveness relies on the expression of these molecules in the tumor, which is dynamic and influenced by tumor-infiltrating cells. Thus, identify PDL-1 expressing cells in the tumor may help to predict and improve patients' responses. Our group investigates the roles of platelets, their interactions with tumor and immune cells, and their effects on cancer immunotherapy and immunity against tumors.